Three questions

12 posts / 0 new

Tue, 2012-10-02 19:33

Three questions

Question One - I have written a parody of a well known children's story for adults using the same characters names. Am I allowed to do that?

Question Two
I have also part written a piece based on something that was read out to a creative writing class back in the eighties. The piece was written by one of the teacher's students but we were never told the student's name. I really liked the piece and at that time I had a good memory so when I got home I wrote down what I could remember. Since then I have mucked about with it on numerous occasions. If I knew the person's name I would gladly give credit that it was that person's original idea but I can't now remember what parts were written by the student and what parts are my additions. If I posted this would I be guilty of plagiarism?

Question Three
Can anyone remember what question three was?

Tue, 2012-10-02 20:45

denni1

Q 1 .. yes Q2 .. no

Tue, 2012-10-02 21:03

blighters rock

Just do it, honey

Tue, 2012-10-02 23:03

scratch

Yes on all four questions Moya. Stop stressing and give us your interpretation. If everyone baulked at such things nothing new would be written. MOYA MOYA!

Wed, 2012-10-03 01:00

Parson Thru

Hi Moya, not sure how useful this link is. Found a much better US one recently but can't find it now. It rests on 4 (or 5 or 6 depending which site you look at) tests or pillars. Mainly, ok for research / study or a review / criticism. You need to avoid nicking a significant part of a work or the defining part, which could be quite brief. If you are reproducing the gist of a book, you may need to ask the publisher. Parody / humour I'm not sure. Usually best to contact the publisher I would have thought. With the other thing, maybe make sure you give a credit. If you don't know their name, maybe the place / situation. Hope this helps. http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1073791360&typ...

Parson Thru

Wed, 2012-10-03 07:56

(Reply to #5) #6

Denzella

Hello everyone, And thank you all for your helpful comments. Denni, Blighters, Scratch and Parson and guess what I've remembered what question three was but I think I might know the answer. But I'll run it by just the same. I have written a composite speech of three of my most favourite famous speeches to cover all eventualities. Shakespeare's St Crispen Day, Different parts of Churchill's wartime speeches and Martin Luther King's I have a Dream speech and I have taken bits from each and woven them together into what I call A Plagiarist's Guide for a Composite Speech to Cover All Eventualities. I just love the speeches I'm not trying to pass the work off as my own and I would have liked to post it but I think that is probably a step too far. But thank you all once again. Parson I have donated as promised. I shall do so again now I know it's not complicated. Moya

Wed, 2012-10-03 07:59

jolono

Love the idea of different famous speeches put together Moya. Just post it!

Wed, 2012-10-03 08:22

Parson Thru

That would be a good read. Don't be inhibited, just be aware. The Web is considered as just another medium when it comes to intellectual property. You could just call it covering your ass. (No, Predictive Text, not coveting) :-) Technology is a minefield

Parson Thru

Wed, 2012-10-03 08:44

(Reply to #8) #9

Denzella

Fear not , Parson, I always keep my ass well and truly covered. And it takes a lot of material let me tell you! As for posting it I think I'm too scared. I'm such a wimp, I know. Moya

Wed, 2012-10-03 08:45

#10

Denzella

The speech not my ass. It would never go through the letter box.

Wed, 2012-10-03 10:15

#11

Sooz006

I'm looking forward to reading it, too Moya. I have no idea about legalities but ... my thoughts on the subject would be. One should be okay Two is iffy, post it anyway but cover yourself by saying that some parts of it are borrowed from an unnamed author. I was once accused of plagiarism because I wrote a story about a fairground and a premonition that a ride wasn't safe. If was my own work ... but I'd inadvertently written an American urban legend. Mine was very different but the ingredients were there. I'd just had a heart attack and two miscarriages and the added stress of being called a cheat was horrible. Post your story, but just add the story you told us here in the introduction.

Wed, 2012-10-03 12:14

#12

alex_tomlin

Post everything! As long as you clearly credit the sources of all speeches, stories and asses no harm will come to you.